Should You Finish Your Associate Degree Before Transferring?

August 05, 2025

Posted by STLCC in Programs and Pathways 

Many students start at a community college because they want to save money, stay close to home and earn a strong education before transferring to a four-year university. That path can be a smart choice, especially when students plan their transfer carefully.

But here’s the part students sometimes overlook: transferring faster does not always mean finishing faster. For many students, earning an associate degree before moving on can build momentum, save money and make the transfer process feel more manageable.

St. Louis Community College encourages students to consider finishing their associate degree before transferring. Some students use the CORE 42 program, which allows approved general education courses to transfer to Missouri public colleges and universities. CORE 42 can be a great start, but earning the full associate degree gives students an additional milestone and a completed credential.

Why Finish Your Associate Degree Before Transferring?

Students may think moving to a university as soon as possible will help them finish their bachelor’s degree sooner. Sometimes that works. But for many students, transferring with a completed associate degree can provide a stronger foundation.

An associate degree shows that you completed two full years of college-level work. It also gives you something official to carry with you, even if your plans change later. That matters because life does not always follow a perfect timeline. Work, family, finances, health or a change in goals can affect any student’s path.

When you finish your associate degree first, you move forward with a credential already earned. You also bring more confidence, more completed credits and a clearer sense of what college requires.

Build Academic Confidence Before You Transfer

STLCC gives students time to build strong academic habits before they enter a larger university setting. Smaller classes, more access to professors and support from academic success and tutoring can help students strengthen their skills.

When students transfer without finishing an associate degree, they may still be adjusting to college-level work while also learning a new campus, new systems and new expectations. Completing the associate degree first can make that next step feel less overwhelming.

Finishing your degree can help you:

• Complete more general education requirements before transfer.
• Practice college-level writing, studying and time management.
• Work with advisors to choose classes that support your transfer plan.
• Enter your next school with a completed credential and stronger momentum.

Missouri’s CORE 42 program can help students complete transferable general education courses. Starting in the 2028-29 academic year, Missouri also plans to implement a 60-credit-hour transferable lower-division course block for select high-demand programs, including general business, elementary education, general psychology, nursing and general biology or biological sciences.

Save Money While You Make Progress

Cost is one of the biggest reasons students choose community college. Completing more credits at STLCC before transferring can help reduce the total cost of a bachelor’s degree, especially when students work closely with an advisor to make sure their classes fit their transfer plan.

For many students, the first two years of college include general education courses and introductory classes. Taking those courses at STLCC can be a cost-effective way to make progress before paying university tuition rates.

Finishing the associate degree can also help students avoid paying for extra courses later. When classes are planned carefully, students can move to the university with a clearer record of completed work and a stronger understanding of what still needs to be done.

Give Yourself a Real Milestone

College takes work. Staying motivated can be hard when the finish line feels far away. An associate degree gives students a meaningful milestone before the bachelor’s degree.

That milestone can matter emotionally. It is proof that you started something and finished it. It can help you feel more prepared for the next step and remind you that you are capable of college-level success.

Students who earn an associate degree before transferring may arrive at their next school with more confidence because they already know how to:

• Manage deadlines.
• Ask for help when they need it.
• Study for college-level exams.
• Write and research at a college level.
• Balance school with work, family or other responsibilities.

That does not mean transfer will be easy. But it can help students start the next chapter from a place of strength.

Stay Connected Long Enough to Grow

Community college is not only a place to take classes. It can also be a place to build relationships, practice leadership and learn more about yourself.

Students who stay long enough to complete a degree may have more time to connect with professors, advisors, tutors and classmates. They may also join student clubs, attend campus events or take on leadership roles.

Those experiences can help students grow in ways that show up later, both at a university and in the workplace. Learning how to speak up, manage responsibilities and connect with support can make the transfer experience smoother.

If you are still building confidence, STLCC can be a strong place to practice those skills before moving into a larger university environment.

Keep Your Options Open

Plans change. A student may start with one major and choose another. A family emergency may pause school. A job opportunity may come up sooner than expected.

If you transfer without earning a degree and then stop out before completing your bachelor’s, you may have college credits but no completed credential. If you finish the associate degree first, you have something official to show for your work.

An associate degree can help you:

• Apply for jobs that prefer or require a college credential.
• Return to school later with a completed degree already earned.
• Show employers that you followed through on a goal.
• Build a stronger foundation for future education or career changes.

Think of it as saving your progress before moving to the next level. If life changes, your work is not lost.

What You Can Do Now

If you are thinking about transferring, start with a plan. The earlier you ask questions, the easier it is to avoid extra classes, missed requirements or confusion later.

Finish Strong Before You Move Forward

Transferring is a big step, and STLCC can help you prepare for it. The College offers support at each step, from choosing classes and registering to getting help from advisors, tutors and campus resources.

When you finish your associate degree first, you bring a stronger foundation, a completed credential and more confidence into your next step.

If you are planning to transfer, take time to ask one important question: What would finishing my associate degree help me do?